Liu Liu watched Feng Xie approach step by step, a primal fear gripping her. Though her martial arts were not weak, she stood no chance against him. She retreated cautiously, pressing herself against a bronze pillar until she could retreat no further. With a cold expression, she spoke.
"Your Majesty, it is time to return. Liu Liu wishes to rest."
"Rest? You did not speak of rest when you were entangled with Prince Yan. Do you know he is my imperial brother? You should not have involved yourself with anyone, let alone him. Was it because I neglected you and you felt lonely, so you set your sights on my imperial brother? Do not think you can seduce him again. I will not allow anyone to harm him. He is the pillar of Tianfeng, and I have many uses for him."
A chilling smile played on Feng Xie's lips. His breath, cold as ice, brushed against her face, making her shiver. She flinched, attempting to evade his grasp.
But she was too slow. He swiftly blocked her escape, trapping her against the dragon-engraved bronze pillar of the sleeping chamber. The light in his eyes flickered, dimming and brightening. He breathed heavily, his head close to hers. Liu Liu pushed him, her voice steady.
"Your Majesty, please release me. If you believe Liu Liu has erred, then dispose of me."
She no longer wished to speak with him. An emperor was always autocratic, accustomed to issuing commands without regard for others' wishes. Thus, she saw no point in wasting words. Even if she spoke, he would not believe her. Perhaps he would accuse her of making excuses for herself.
"Release you? To let you harm my imperial brother?" Feng Xie bared his teeth, a stark white against his dark, bruised face. Coupled with his bloodthirsty eyes, he appeared almost monstrous.
She had never expected the usually domineering and composed emperor to lose control. He reached out with his other hand, caressing her delicate skin. Suddenly, he grasped her chin with force and growled,
"Do not even dream of leaving this place of confinement. From tomorrow onwards, I will have people guard here. No one is to step foot into Huaqing Palace."
She laughed, her chin throbbing from his grip. Defiance flashed in her eyes, and she bit her lower lip, drawing blood that trickled down. Yet, her expression was one of wild indifference. The pain was nothing compared to what he inflicted. Despite knowing she was not at fault, he projected his anger onto her.
"That is for tomorrow. Should you not be leaving tonight?"
She spoke stubbornly, not wishing to spend another moment with him. Her anger had reached its zenith, and she feared she might lash out. If she did, he would discover her martial arts. Given his current fury, he would surely cripple her, rendering her efforts futile.
Liu Liu analyzed the situation in her mind, surprised she could still think clearly. Feng Xie merely uttered "Impossible" and threw it at her. Seeing her biting her lip, inflicting pain upon herself until blood flowed, agitated him further. His gaze softened slightly. He knew, deep down, that the evening's events were not her fault but his imperial brother's presumption. Yet, seeing her with unbound hair, in her undergarments, sharing a room with another man... it ignited his fury. He felt that an emperor's woman behaving this way was an insult to him. In his rage, he lost all reason, forgetting that he had never truly claimed her as his Empress.
Feng Xie, disregarding the source of his outburst, lowered his head swiftly and kissed her injured lip. Blood smeared onto his lips, flowing into his mouth, tasting of iron yet carrying her refreshing scent, as pure as a flower. He licked it again. After a moment of stunned silence, Liu Liu bit his lip fiercely. She expected him to recoil, but he held her tighter. Their eyes, filled with a savage glint, locked as they intertwined. Blood met blood.
Every cell in Liu Liu's body burned with anger. She quickly pushed him away, her small hand striking out. Feng Xie, caught off guard, stumbled back a couple of steps. He didn't dwell on it, merely scoffing internally. He hadn't expected her to be so strong. He looked at her lips, swollen and bleeding more profusely now. A triumphant smile spread across his face, his demeanor becoming more assertive. She had bitten him, and he had bitten her back. Their encounter wasn't a kiss but a mutual gnawing. Both their lips were bleeding, and they panted, glaring at each other.
Feng Xie reached up and touched his lip. Though it pained him, his heart swelled with a strange satisfaction. A thrill coursed through him. His expression remained cold and stern, but a gentleness flickered in his eyes. He looked at Liu Liu and scoffed, "If such a thing happens again, I will not be so lenient." With a wave of his hand, he departed swiftly. At the door, he coldly commanded Ri Ying, "You will guard the palace gate today. Tomorrow, have Zhao Mei and a few guards stand outside Huaqing Palace. No one is to enter casually, unless with my seal."
"Yes, Your Majesty." As his footsteps faded, Liu Liu's body went limp. Cold sweat plastered her clothes to her skin. She slowly sank to the ground, her heart aching with a pain that prevented tears. Only silent tears streamed from her eyes, falling onto the floor.
Outside the palace doors, several young maids saw the Emperor leave the sleeping chambers and entered. They gasped upon seeing Liu Liu on the floor. Cui Er rushed forward in alarm, gesturing for Qiao Er to help lift their mistress onto a soft couch. The maids dared not speak, merely gazing at their mistress. Cui Er, filled with concern, found medicine and applied it to Liu Liu's injuries. Liu Liu stared blankly at Cui Er, her gaze unfocused, lost in her thoughts. Once Cui Er had finished applying the medicine, she spoke softly.
"My Lady, please rest. When you wake tomorrow, all will be well. Do not worry."
Liu Liu remained in a daze, slowly curling up on the couch. The imperial palace was becoming increasingly unbearable. She wondered when she could leave, but if she fled rashly, what would happen to her father? If she angered the tyrant, he might imprison her parents. Though this was just a speculation, she dared not risk her family's lives. So, she endured, believing she would be able to leave soon. Liu Er knew her mistress was a highly skilled martial artist. If she were alone, she would surely not stay here. It was undoubtedly her fear of the Emperor retaliating against her father that kept her here.
The moonlit night, a light frost clung to withered lotus leaves. By the secluded railings, the bright moon hung in the sky, casting its silvery radiance, illuminating the magnificent buildings with a shimmering glow. A graceful figure stood silently on the towering tile eaves of the imperial palace. The wind rustled his long hair, making it fly wildly. His robes billowed, resembling a demon in the dark night, yet exuding an aura of purity. Such a contradictory being, yet so captivating. His pupils flickered, like two lanterns, their brilliance shifting.
Suddenly, another shadow leaped to his side. He cupped his fist in a bow, a fluid motion.
"Master, a small incident occurred nearby just now. His Majesty has already left the scene." The subordinate reported respectfully, unable to comprehend why his master was concerned about such an "ugly woman." However, she dared not ask, knowing that silence was her only protection if she wished to live.
"Is she unharmed?" A fleeting tenderness softened his icy face as he spoke of her, his voice gentle. The subordinate in green behind him trembled slightly. She found this side of her master unsettling. For over a decade, her master had always been indifferent and distant, never showing such tenderness before. That woman was truly blessed. Why was it that an ugly woman could garner such different treatment from the Prince, the Emperor, and her own master? After all, these men were outstanding, each a dream for any woman. Yet, that woman seemed indifferent to them all.